Analysis of Basement Insulation Alternatives

• Main Authors: Ian Beausoleil-morrison, Briana Paige Kemery, Canada K B
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Yukon; Whitehorse
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.658.6179; http://emrlibrary.gov.yk.ca/energy/analysis_of_basement_insulation_alternatives.pdf

The effect of alternate basement insulation configurations on annual house heating load was evaluated. A typical house and basement geometry was defined. Heating loads were estimated using two building energy performance simulation tools: the ESP-r and BASECALC computer programs, and weather data for Whitehorse, Yukon. The analysis considered convectively-heated and in-floor radiant heating configurations, as well as concrete and preserved wood foundations, and soil conductivity. A number of insulation configurations were found to result in significant heating cost savings. For the best case, savings exceeded 86 % compared to an uninsulated concrete basement. The payback was under two and a half years, based on prices and labour costs current at the time of the study. The results were presented graphically to help house builders and others more easily compare alternative insulation configurations. 3